Leading her pre-school class in a care-package project for soldiers overseas, teacher Marilyn French didn’t know her 4-year-old students had a surprise up their sleeves.
Taping a video, the children happily raised their posters, which were supposed to say “Merry Christmas,” directed at the troops who would soon be watching it. What they actually said was “Happy Holidays, Lt. Eric!!!”
Eric Ouellet is Marilyn’s son, serving with the U.S. Army in Afghanistan.
The teacher stayed in character for a moment, then briefly broke down in tears, pulling her slightly bewildered students into a hug.
“That is so sweet,” she said.
The whole pre-school was in on the surprise, said Holly Blose, Clarkston Co-op Preschool president.
“The kids love Mrs. French,” Blose said. “This was the best Christmas present we could come up with for her.”
The care package will include the video, snacks and treats, and cards made by each student, she said.